Catarina Macario got here off the bench to attain twice from the penalty spot as Chelsea got here from behind to beat Actual Madrid and seal high spot in Group B of the UEFA Ladies’s Champions League.
Each groups had already certified for the knockout levels previous to kick-off, with solely their order in Group B to be decided on the evening, and Chelsea’s first-half show was notable for its lack of depth.
Actual took the lead early when Hannah Hampton couldn’t maintain out the superb Caroline Weir’s shot, and Los Blancos had the higher of a primary half that noticed a scattering of possibilities at every finish.
However half-time substitute Macario reworked the sport because the English guests began the second half with a markedly elevated tempo.
The USA worldwide had a purpose dominated out for offside simply moments after the restart, and had scored twice from the spot simply 11 minutes into her time on the sphere, twice taking pictures excessive to the keeper’s left with Olga Carmona giving freely each spot kicks.
Actual Madrid threw gamers ahead in an more and more frenzied second half as they went searching for the popular qualifying spot in Group B, however Chelsea held agency to proceed their spectacular run within the competitors and qualify with six wins from six.
Participant Of The Match – Catarina Macario
For a lot of the sport it was Actual Madrid’s mercurial midfielder Weir who stood out as essentially the most influential participant on the pitch, because the Scottish star put in a world-class show.
However the defining efficiency of the evening got here from the half-time substitute Macario, who blew Actual away in a exceptional and dominant spell initially of the second half.
She had a purpose disallowed, gained the primary penalty and was ruthless from the spot on each events to earn Chelsea their 2-1 win.
Participant Scores
Actual Madrid: Misa 8; García 8, Lakrar 7, Mendez 7, Carmona 5; Angeldahl 7, Toletti 6, Leupolz 6; Weir 9, Bruun 6, Caicedo 7. Subs: Redondo 7, Feller 8, Athenea 7.
Chelsea: Hampton 6; Bronze 7, Bjorn 6, Shiny 6, Charles 7; Nusken 6, Cuthbert 7; Kaptein 7, Reiten 6, Beever-Jones 6; Ramirez 7. Subs: Hamano 7, Macario 9, Baltimore 8, Lawrence 8.
Speaking Level – Consideration turns to the knockouts
Neither of those golf equipment have ever gained the UEFA Ladies’s Champions League, however each may have hopes of adjusting that this season. Progress to the knockout levels was at all times prone to be a formality in a bunch containing Twente and Celtic, however the brand new yr will see the competitors enter its critically aggressive knockout section.
The standard of the groups awaiting Chelsea and Actual within the knockouts is extraordinarily excessive: reigning champions Barcelona and Bompastor’s former membership Lyon can be joined by German golf equipment Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich, with WSL giants Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis finishing an exceptionally sturdy set of eight groups who will battle it out for Europe’s largest honour.
Match Highlights
8’ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-0 CHELSEA (WEIR) Actual Madrid have an early lead and Hannah Hampton gained’t need to see this once more. A searing break sees Weir and Carmona put Caicedo in a harmful place within the field. She lays it again for Weir to shoot, and Hampton seems to be to claw it over the bar however succeeds solely in tipping it on to the put up and in to the again of the online. The build-up was excellent nevertheless it’s a irritating manner for Chelsea to concede.
45’ – CHANGE AT THE BREAK Maya Ramirez labored exceptionally onerous within the first half and has been changed on the break by Catarina Macario.
46’ – FAST START FROM CHELSEA The tempo is noticeably greater from Chelsea proper initially of the second half and so they look to have equalised early on, with Macario slipped in to complete past the keeper, however she had barely mistimed her run and was offside.
49’ – PENALTY! Macario jinks into the field and Carmona sticks a leg out to convey down the half-time substitute. The Actual Madrid captain is livid concerning the choice, nevertheless it seems to be like a foul on the replay and Chelsea have the possibility to stage from the spot.
52’ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-1 CHELSEA (MACARIO) Catarina Macario has been unbelievable in her first jiffy on the pitch and he or she hammers residence her penalty, sending the keeper the fallacious manner. 1-1. Recreation on.
54’ – PENALTY! It’s one other penalty for Chelsea! Actual Madrid needlessly give the ball away and Chelsea get the ball into the field, the place it takes a deflection to strike Carmona on the arm. It’s extremely unfortunate, however it’s a handball and the penalty is given.
57’ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-2 CHELSEA (MACARIO) It’s a carbon copy from Macario, who once more goes excessive to the keeper’s left to attain her second purpose of the sport having solely been on the sphere for ten minutes. 2-1 Chelsea and so they’re again on high in Group B.
Key Stats
Chelsea have solely misplaced two Champions League video games because the begin of the 2022/23 season – each in semi-finals towards Barcelona, with Barca profitable the two-legged tie, after which the ultimate, on every event.
The draw for the quarter-finals can be held on February 7, with the two-legged ties set to be performed on March 18/19 and 26/27.
